The first league game between West and City at Brinkburn back in October saw a narrow 29-27 home win with both teams missing a few regulars (always the case these day for most clubs) notably Liam Pennick, Ollie Connolly and Max Tennant for West . All three had arranged other things amid confusion over whether it was a rest weekend.

It wasn’t, and so we had skipper Ryan Painter at fly-half and Chris Atkins in the centre. The latter will be back at No 8 this week where he has been in tremendous form and leading from the front while Ryan nurses his hamstring injury.

However, Messrs Pennick, Connolly and Tennant M. are in the side which is looking to get it’s first “double” of the season.

It will be a tall order against a City side which has been going well and sitting in that very comfortable third place behind Percy Park and Northern. The latter beating them 29-12 at McCracken Park last week.

We go into the game in seventh place but with one eye over the shoulder with eight games still to play and looking to extend 2024’s unbeaten record. Those two wins have opened up a 12-point gap with Upper Eden who hold the second bottom relegation place. Cockermouth already doomed having had their only five points deducted for failing to turn up at Percy Park.

It would all look more comfortable if only two teams were to be relegated, but the RFU has made it clear it may have to tinker with promotion and relegation to ensure minimum travel distance next season.

The injury problems from the Boxing Day game are now easing with Will Hilditch and Lewis Scott fit again. Will starts in the centre while Lewis will be providing backs cover from the bench as 17 year old Jacob Wood continues on the wing and looking to maintain his try a game record.

Up front Connor McLurg, who has made a major impact this season in more ways than one, is also fit to resume in the back row allowing Jake Linighan to return to the second row alongside the ever-present Ollie Webster.